Rocket borne electron accelerator results pertaining to the beam plasma discharge

Paul J. Kellogg, Steven J. Monson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three flights of rocket borne electron accelerators have yielded some results concerning the Beam Plasma Discharge (BPD). The first flight, E||B, from Churchill carrying an accelerator of 2 and 4 keV electrons, produced a spectrum of whistler mode waves which was identical with that produced in a large vacuum chamber, and which we know to be an indicator of BPD. The second, Echo V, launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, carrying an accelerator of 25-35 keV electrons, produced wave emissions at 3-3.5 MHz observed on the ground. Our interpretation is that BPD was not or was weakly produced. In the third flight, NB3-II launched from Churchill with an accelerator of 2, 4 and 8 keV electrons, wave emissions well above the ambient plasma frequency were observed from a separated payload, but very close to the beam, and are interpreted as demonstrating BPD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)61-68
Number of pages8
JournalAdvances in Space Research
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under grants 03—78—801—60 and NA79RAC00051.

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